Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Oden Is No.1 Draft Pick

Blazers, Sonics both deal veteran stars after acquiring top two draft prospects

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted Jun 29, 2007 4:13 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Portland chose conventional wisdom over daring in the 2007 NBA draft, picking defense-first Ohio State center Greg Oden over Texas's scoring prodigy Kevin Durant. Division rival Seattle nabbed Durant and traded the team's leading scorer, Ray Allen, to Boston for two players and the draft's #5 pick, which became Georgetown forward Jeff Green.

Portland also moved talented but troubled 6'11" forward Zach Randolph to the Knicks, resolving a glut in their frontcourt caused by Oden. Said the star center of Durant: "I know we're going to be connected for a long time.... I'd love to win more championships than him."

Ohio State's Greg Oden, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected by Portland Trail Blazers as the first pick overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Thursday, June 28, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Ohio State's Greg Oden, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected by Portland Trail Blazers as the first pick overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Thursday, June 28, 2007,...   (Associated Press)
Ohio State's Greg Oden takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday June 28, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Ohio State's Greg Oden takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday June 28, 2007 in...   (Associated Press)
Ohio State's Greg Oden reacts to the crowd before an interview after being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round 2007 NBA Draft Thursday June 28, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Ohio State's Greg Oden reacts to the crowd before an interview after being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round 2007 NBA Draft Thursday June 28, 2007 in...   (Associated Press)
Texas' Kevin Durant takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Seattle SuperSonics as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday June 28, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Texas' Kevin Durant takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Seattle SuperSonics as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday June 28, 2007 in New York....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

 
NBA • Kevin Durant • basketball • Portland Trail Blazers • Seattle SuperSonics • Greg Oden • NBA draft

More Newser Stories

Go Northwest, Young Men

Sonics Give Blazers Tit for Tat

Blazers Stay Red Hot, Muffle Sonics 89-79

Knee Will Cost Oden Season

Blazers Buy Out Francis
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne